One month ago, 24-year-old Tara Blankenbaker was stabbed nearly to death in front of her young children, and her husband was charged with attempted murder.

The young mother is spoke out for the first time to WLKY on Monday.

Blankenbaker continues to recover at the Southern Indiana Rehab Hospital in New Albany.

Her speedy recovery is surprising, considering police said her estranged husband stabbed her so violently that part of her body was left paralyzed.

"Do you forgive him?" WLKY's Jessica Oh asked Blankenbaker.

"I do. Honestly, I do. Because I have to forgive him so I can move on," said Blankenbaker.

She said she believes her husband, Ross Blankenbaker, was on drugs when he showed up to her home on March 28, begging her to stay with him.

"I could tell he was on something, and he was just losing it," said Blankenbaker.

Police said he snapped in front of their screaming children, stabbing Tara in the skull, spine and back.

"Yes, I'm very lucky. I thank the Lord every day. I mean, He kept me alive for a reason. I honestly thought I was dying. I really thought I was dead," said Blankenbaker.

Earlier in April, Ross Blankenbaker told WLKY he was sorry.

"I messed up bad, and I love my family to death and I didn't mean to do what I done," said Ross Blankenbaker.

Tara Blankenbaker told WLKY she accepts his apology.

"I do believe he's sorry, and I pray for him every night that he finds God like I have," said Tara Blankenbaker. "Of course, there's the hate and the hurt, I mean, it hurts that he's done this to me, but I have to stay strong,"

Tara Blankenbaker said she's gotten so much support from so many people over the past month, and she wants to thank everyone for that.

She expects to be in rehab for about one more month, and when she gets out she wants to help others by becoming an advocate in the fight against domestic violence.

If convicted, Ross Blankenbaker could spend up to 50 years behind bars.